He was born Jan. 16, 1922 in Chester Township to Orville E. Sr. and Anna Brendice (Currens) Howard.

Max married Marietta Hanley in North Manchester on June 25, 1942; she died Aug. 26, 2006. He was a 1940 graduate of Chester Township High School. Max worked several years for Miller and Sons in Silver Lake, Lumbermans in Fort Wayne, and retired from Frantz Lumber in North Manchester, in 1988. He was a World War II US Army veteran, and a member of the North Manchester United Methodist Church. He enjoyed reading, gardening, and all sports. Max lived in Greenwood since Nov. 2009.

He is survived by this four children, Carolyn (Allan) Rife of Jeffersonville, Dan (Fran) Howard of Michigan City, Barbara (Terry) Murphy of Indianapolis, and Virginia Howard of Rochester; two brothers, Orville E. Howard, Jr. of Frankfort and Joseph Howard of Roann; a sister, Patricia Young of Wabash; six grandchildren, Monica (Joe) Allen of Greenwood, Aimee (Charles) Fields of New Albany, Jeremy Rife of Jeffersonville, Luke (Staci) Murphy of Bloomington, Jennifer Schultz and Ann (Kyle) Newburn, both of Michigan City; and 12 great grandchildren. His brother, Eugene Howard, four sisters, Margaret Barnes, Mary Cline, Josephine Pankop, and Betty June Howard, and one great grandson, Norwood Lee Allen, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held at North Manchester United Methodist Church on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Kevin DeKonick officiating. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery, Servia. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Bender Chapel, North Manchester.

Preferred memorial is the North Manchester United Methodist Church. The memorial guest book for Max may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.